Sometimes, we see or hear some abbreviations ( shortenings / contractions) like “gonna“, “wanna“, “hafta“, etc. instead of “going to“, “want to“, “have to“, etc. These are gramatically incorrect, however, they are used in very informal spoken English, especially while speaking quickly.

These abbreviations are also called as “slangs“in English. “Slang” means very informal language that is usually spoken rather than written, used especially by particular groups of people.

You can find such abbreviations and their detailed explanations below.

Going To ( Gonna )

Going to = Gonna

We use “be going to” to make predictions and for planned actions in the future meaning. “gonna” is an informal short form for the future tense of “going to“.

Example:

Be careful! you are going to fall.

We can say it in an informal way without changing the meaning;

Be careful! you are gonna fall.

Got To ( Gotta )

Have Got To = Have Gotta = Gotta

We use “have got to” to express something which is necessary or must be true. “gotta” is an informal short form of “got to” or “have to“.

Examples:

You have got to come here immediately.

I have got to study.

We can say these in an informal way without changing the meaning;

You have gotta come here immediately.

I gotta study.

Attention:

Sometimes “gotta” is written or spoken without “have” in informal English language, although “have got to” is used in a sentence. The meanings in the sentences with and without “have” are the same.

Example:

They have got to attend the meeting.

We can say also without changing the meaning;

They have gotta attend the meeting. or They gotta attend the meeting. ( Two sentences are the same meaning )

Want To ( Wanna )

Want to / Want = Wanna

We use “want” or “want to” to express a request. “wanna” is an informal short form of “want“,”want a” or “want to“.

Examples:

I want to read a novel.

I want a pen.

I want race cars.

We can say these in an informal way without changing the meaning;

I wanna read a novel.

I wanna pen.

I wanna race cars.

Let Me ( Lemme )

Let me = Lemme

We use “let me” to get permission or allowance when we want to do something. “lemme” is an informal short form of “let me“.

Example:

Let me show you how I love you.

We can say it in an informal way without changing the meaning.

Lemme show you how I love you.

Give Me ( Gimme )

Give me = Gimme

We use “give me” to request something from someone. “gimme” is an informal short form of “give me“.

Example:

Give me a chance, please.

We can say it in an informal way without changing the meaning.

Gimme a chance, please.

Out Of ( Outta )

Out of = Outta

We use “out of” in the sense of outside. “outta” is an informal short form of “out of“.

Example:

She got out of the taxi.

We can say it in an informal way without changing the meaning.

She got outta the taxi.

Kind Of ( Kinda )

Kind of = Kinda

We use “kind of” when we are trying to explain or describe something, but we cannot be exact or we use “kind” as a noun which means a classor type of something.

“kinda” is an informal short form of” kind of”.

Examples:

It was kind of nice to see her again.

Petrol is a kind of fuel.

We can say these in an informal way without changing the meaning.

It was kinda nice to see her again.

Petrol is a kinda fuel.

I’m Going To ( I’mma )

I’m going to = I’m gonna = I’mma

We use “I’m going to” to make predictions and for planned actions in the future meaning. “I’mma” is an informal short form of “I’m going to“.

Example:

I’m going to be a mother soon.

We can say it in an informal way without changing the meaning;

I’mma be a mother soon.

Attention:We can leave out the apostrophe.

Example:

I’m going to play tennis this afternoon.

Imma play tennis this afternoon.

Have To ( Hafta )

Have to = Hafta

We use “have to” when we are forced to do something or we strongly intend to do something. “hafta” is an informal short form of “have to“.

Example:

I have to phone my family.

We can say it in an informal way without changing the meaning;

I hafta phone my family.

Don’t / Doesn’t Know ( Dunno )

Don’t / Doesn’t know = Dunno

We use ” don’t / doesn’t know” to express that someone does not know of something or someone. “dunno” is an informal short form of “don’t / doesn’t know“.

Examples:

I don’t know what to do.

She doesn’t know how much I love her.

We can say these in an informal way without changing the meaning;

I dunno what to do.

She dunno how much I love her.

Let You ( Letcha )

Let you = Letcha

We use “let you” while giving permission or allowance to someone to do something. “letcha” is an informal short form of “let you“.